So you’re having some friends over for an end-of-summer blow out party and you are going to go stock up on beer for the occasion. With the vast array of breweries all around the state and region offering a multitude of styles in all kinds of convenient packaging, it can be tempting to just start buying all kinds of different beers and offering a wide assortment for your guests. That’s totally acceptable and everyone will love you for it.

However, if you are like me and don’t want to deal with the added cost, the “fallen soldiers” (half-finished beers) in the morning and the inevitable redemption center smell that will take over your house if you get lazy about cleanup, I have a better solution.

Summer time is special in so many different ways, but one of my favorite summer activities is loading up a cooler with a few choice cold ones and having a little beer adventure. With so many local breweries canning their beer now, it has never been easier to load up the Yeti (or in my case the $10 Ocean State Job Lot oversized lunch bag) with some great, fresh local suds.

Welcome back to the Three Pint Stance Guide to Holiday Beer Gifting! Last week, we went over what not to get your beer-loving friend/lover/co-worker/annoying person you have to get a gift for. This week, we get to focus on the things you SHOULD consider getting that person.

Sometimes, I have a lot on my mind and it can be hard to focus in on one subject. Instead of fighting it, I’m giving in and just writing a bunch of blurbs this week. It’s basically the beer column version of a sampling flight. Enjoy!

Walking into any beer store these days will make one thing abundantly clear - cans are back! While bottles have ruled the realm of craft beer for most of its recent resurgence, more and more breweries are turning to the aluminum can to store their wares.